Factors affecting match running performance of elite soccer players: shedding some light on the complexity.

Time-motion analysis is a valuable data-collection technique used to quantify the match running performance of elite soccer players. However, interpreting the reductions in running performance in the second half or temporarily after the most intense period of games is highly complex, as it could be attributed to physical or mental fatigue, pacing strategies, contextual factors or a combination of mutually inclusive factors. Given that research in this domain typically uses a reductionist approach whereby match-running performance is examined in isolation without integrating other factors this ultimately leads to a 1-dimensional insight into match performance. Subsequently, a cohesive review of influencing factors does not yet exist. The aim of this commentary is to provide a detailed insight into the complexity of match running performance and the most influential factors

High-intensity efforts in elite soccer matches and associated movement patterns, technical skills and tactical actions. Information for position-specific training drills.

This study aimed to translate movement patterns, technical skills and tactical actions associated with high-intensity efforts into metrics that could potentially be used to construct position-specific conditioning drills. A total of 20 individual English Premier League players' high-intensity running profiles were observed multiple times (n = 100) using a computerised tracking system. Data were analysed using a novel high-intensity movement programme across five positions (centre back [CB], full-back [FB], central midfielder [CM], wide midfielder [WM] and centre forward [CF]). High-intensity efforts in contact with the ball and the average speed of efforts were greater in WMs than CBs, CMs and CFs (effect sizes [ES]: 0.9-2.1, P < 0.05). WMs produced more repeated efforts than CBs and CMs (ES: 0.6-1.3, P < 0.05). In possession, WMs executed more tricks post effort than CBs and CMs (ES: 1.2-1.3, P < 0.01). FBs and WMs performed more crosses post effort than other positions (ES: 1.1-2.0, P < 0.01). Out of possession, CFs completed more efforts closing down the opposition (ES: 1.4-5.0, P < 0.01) but less tracking opposition runners than other positions (ES: 1.5-1.8, P < 0.01). CFs performed more arc runs before efforts compared to CBs, FBs and WMs (ES: 0.9-1.4, P < 0.05), however, CBs completed more 0-90° turns compared to FBs, CMs and WMs (ES: 0.9-1.1, P < 0.01). The data demonstrate unique high-intensity trends in and out of possession that could assist practitioners when devising position-specific drills

Influence of varied pitch shape on soccer players physiological responses and time-motion characteristics during small-sided games.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pitch shape modifications on heart rate responses and time-motion characteristics in soccer players during 5-a-side small-sided games (SSGs). Players completed four different SSG dimensions: (1) short narrow pitch (SN; 40 × 25 m), (2) short wide pitch (SW; 66 × 25 m), (3) long narrow pitch (LN; 40 × 50 m), and (4) long wide pitch (LW; 66 × 50 m). Twenty amateur soccer players (age: 21 ± 5 yr; stature: 176.8 ± 1.9 cm; body mass: 72.7 ± 3.7 kg) were monitored using a heart rate monitor and a 10 Hz GPS device. Mean maximum heart rate (%HRmax), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), peak running speed, total distance covered (TD), distance covered in four speed categories, number of moderate and high accelerations (Ac), decelerations (Dc), changes of direction (COD) and player load were recorded. Increasing the pitch length had a greater effect compared to increasing the pitch width especially on RPE (3.8, 6.3, 4.9 and 6.6 AU to SN, LN, SW and LW, respectively) and time-motion characteristics such as TD (101, 127, 108 and 131 m·min-1 to SN, LN, SW and LW, respectively), peak speed (4.8, 6.1, 5.2 and 6.2 m·s-1 to SN, LN, SW and LW, respectively), and the number of accelerations, decelerations, and changes of direction. The data demonstrates that increasing the length rather than the width of 5-a-side SSG has a greater impact on players’ responses in terms of increasing workloads

Factors Influencing Physical and Technical Variability in the English Premier League

Purpose: To investigate match-to-match variability of physical and technical performances in English Premier League players and quantify the influence of positional and contextual factors. Methods: Match data (N = 451) were collected using a multicamera computerized tracking system across multiple seasons (2005–06 to 2012–13). The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated from match to match for physical and technical performances in selected positions across different match contexts (location, standard, and result). Results: Wide midfielders demonstrated the greatest CVs for total distance (4.9% ± 5.9%) and central midfielders the smallest (3.6% �} 2.0%); nevertheless, all positions exhibited CVs .05, effect size [ES] 0.1–0.3). Central defenders demonstrated the greatest CVs and wide midfielders the lowest for both high-intensity running (20.2% ± 8.8% and 13.7% ± 7.7%, P < .05, ES 0.4–0.8) and sprint distance (32.3% ± 13.8% and 22.6% ± 11.2%, P < .05, ES 0.5–0.8). Technical indicators such as tackles (83.7% ± 42.3%), possessions won (47.2% ± 27.9%), and interceptions (59.1% ± 37.3%) illustrated substantial variability for attackers compared with all other positions (P < .05, ES 0.4–1.1). Central defenders demonstrated large variability for the number of times tackled per match (144.9% ± 58.3%) and passes attempted and received compared with other positions (39.2% ± 17.5% and 46.9% ± 20.2%, P < .001, ES 0.6–1.8). Contextual factors had limited impact on the variability of physical and technical parameters. Conclusions: The data demonstrate that technical parameters varied more from match to match than physical parameters. Defensive players (fullbacks and central defenders) displayed higher CVs for offensive technical variables, while attacking players (attackers and wide midfielders) exhibited higher CVs for defensive technical variables. Physical and technical performances are variable per se regardless of context

The quantification of game-induced muscle fatigue in amputee soccer players

BACKGROUNDː This study quantified the degree of game-induced muscular fatigue in amputee soccer players. METHODSː Thirty-three male amputee soccer players performed muscular tests (push up test [PUT], countermovement jump test [CMJ] and medicine-ball throw [MBT]) before and after a competitive match. Five players served as a control group. The rating of perceived exertion was recorded after each battery. RESULTSː Control group demonstrated no differences between the two testing batteries (p > 0.05, effect size [ES]: 0.1-0.4). However, match group illustrated markedly lower performances for PUT (-17%, p <0.01, ES: 0.9) with less pronounced declines in MBT (-8%, p <0.01, ES: 0.7) and CMJ (-5%, p <0.01, ES: 0.3) compared to pre-match values. The rating of perceived exertion were higher after the match compared to baseline values (+60%, p <0.01, ES: 2.4). CONCLUSIONː The data demonstrate that the fatigue experienced after amputee soccer matches causes impairments in muscular performance and this could be different to able-bodied players

‘Context is King’ when Interpreting Match Physical Performances

‘I was blind, now I can see’. Thus, is it time to retire the ‘blind’ distance covered model that’s been used in football for decades and replace it with an integrated model that contextualises physical efforts during matches

Longitudinal Match Performance Characteristics of UK and Non-UK Players in the English Premier League

This study investigated the longitudinal match performance characteristics in the English Premier League (EPL), with special reference to player nationality (UK vs. non-UK). Match observations (n = 14700) were collected using a multi-camera computerised tracking system across 7 consecutive EPL seasons (2006–2007 to 2012– 2013). Player nationality referred to their birthplace, with players born in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland classified as the UK players and other nationalities considered non-UK. The non-UK players demon- strated the most pronounced increases in high-intensity running distance across the 7 seasons compared with UK players (P 0.05, ES: 0.08 [CI 0.01–0.15]). In contrast, the non-UK players performed more passes in 2006–2007 compared with the UK players (P 0.05, ES: 0.05 [CI −0.01–0.13]). The data demonstrates that the longitudinal match performance characteristics in the EPL are similar between the UK and non-UK populations

Evolution of match performance parameters for various playing positions in the English Premier League

This study aimed to investigate position-specific evolution of physical and technical performance parameters in the English Premier League (EPL). Match performance observations (n = 14700) were collected using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system across seven seasons (2006–07 to 2012–13). Data were analyzed relative to five playing positions: central defenders (n = 3792), full backs (n = 3420), central midfielders (n = 3200), wide midfielders (n = 2136) and attackers (n = 2152). High-intensity running distance increased in the final season versus the first season in all playing positions (p < .05, ES: 0.9–1.3) with full backs displaying the greatest increase (∼36% higher in 2012–13). Similar trends were observed for sprint distance with full backs demonstrating the most pronounced increase across the seven seasons (36–63%, p < .001, ES: 0.8–1.3). Central players (central defenders and midfielders) illustrated the most pronounced increases in total passes and pass success rate (p < .05, ES: 0.7–0.9) whilst wide players (full backs and wide midfielders) demonstrated only small-moderate increases in total passes and pass success rate (p < .05, ES: 0.6–0.8). The data demonstrates that evolving tactics in the EPL have impacted on the physical demands of wide players and the technical requirements of central players. These findings could be used for talent identification or position-specific physical and technical training